Information transparency builds consensus for JICA3 project

To secure the site for building the JICA3 irrigation project, the Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee has drastically directed compensation and ground clearance. Despite numerous challenges, particularly in land price appraisal, the capacity of grassroots-level officials, and funding for hiring consultants, the synchronous involvement of departments, sectors, and localities, together with professional support from the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Land Fund Development Center, the Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee, and Board 10, has gradually resolved many obstacles.

In communes within the project area, grassroots authorities have proactively issued compensation plans, consolidated compensation councils, and intensified communication to help residents clearly understand the project's objectives and significance. Although the workload is substantial and the land acquisition area is extensive, localities remain determined to strictly follow procedures, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of affected people, and maintain overall project progress.

In the final months of 2025, alongside the completion of procedures, design dossiers, and adjustments to bidding packages, Board 10 coordinated with localities to conduct field surveys at six sluice sites under the JICA3 project. These surveys aim to review investment preparation and to directly listen to local people and assess the level of community consensus, which is a key factor determining the progress and effectiveness of this large-scale ODA project.

At the Vam Nuoc Trong and Vam Thom sites, enhanced communication has helped residents gain a clearer understanding of the project's objectives and functions. Many households said that after receiving explanations, they understood that besides erosion control, the project also played a role in salinity control, water regulation, and serving waterway transportation. More importantly, local people recognize it as a long-term project, not merely a seasonal solution to immediate challenges.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, a resident of Thanh Binh 2 hamlet, Tan Thanh Binh commune, currently has 859 m² of coconut farmland within the project area. Ms. Trang said her family is willing to hand over the land once compensation policies are implemented satisfactorily, prices are reasonable, and the legitimate rights and interests of local people are ensured. What she hopes for most is the project's early implementation to end prolonged saltwater intrusion and flooding.

Not only residents in production areas but also households living along the Ham Luong and Co Chien rivers expect that once completed, the project will help stabilize domestic water supplies and reduce the cost of purchasing water during the dry season. Proper saltwater–freshwater regulation will also help ensure safety for centralized wells and improve the quality of surface water serving riverside households.

In the context of ODA projects strictly demanding transparency and accountability, providing sufficient, timely, and accurate information is not only a mandatory requirement but also a prerequisite for building social trust. For the JICA3 project, information transparency has proven to be the "key" to resolving bottlenecks, reducing conflicts, and strengthening cooperation from local communities, which is an important foundation for the project to enter the construction phase smoothly and on schedule and to deliver long-term effectiveness.